Uttar Pradesh tourism guide
provides with a comprehensive travel guide of monuments of Lucknow.
Don't miss a visit to Bara Imambara monument, its intricate
labyrinth galleries were designed in such a way that enemies use to
lost their ways inside the monument.

After the conquest of Kannauj by the Afghans at the end of the 12th
century, Awadhi submitted to the Sultan of Ghazni and became a part of the Delhi
empire and subsequently a subah (or province) of the Mughal empire. In 1526,
Lucknow was temporarily occupied by the Mughal prince Humayun. In 1540, he lost
the throne to his Afghan rival, Sher Shah, who occupied Lucknow where he
established a copper mint.

During the Mughal reign, Lucknow became a major centre of commerce, which
persuaded a French merchant to settle here. He reaped enough profits to build
four splendid houses in the very first year, but was not given permission to
stay further. His persistence resulted in the confiscation of his property,
which came to be known as the Firangi Mahal.

The Legendary Tale- History has very little to say about the founders or
the initial settlers of Lucknow. According to a popular legend, Lord Ramchandra
of Ayodhya, the hero of the famous epic Ramayana, gifted the territory of
Lucknow to his devoted brother Lakshmana after his victory over the demon king
Ravana. The original name of Lucknow is thus believed to be Lakshmanpur or
Lakhanpur. Yet another story suggests that this city was a gift to the holy
sages of this region by Lord Yudhishtar’s grandson.The story of Lucknow, as we
know today, begins in 1732 when Saadat Khan, a Persian adventurer, originally
from Khurasan in Persia, was honoured by the Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah, and
was made Nizam or governor of the province of Avadh and later the Nawab. In
1740, the Nawab was called Wazir, which means Chief Minister – hence he was
given the title Nawab Wazir. In practice from Saadat Khan onwards, titles have
been hereditary, inheritors of which were responsible for shaping the history of
Lucknow.

Lucknow Flourished Under The Regime of Asaf-ud-Daulah- Nawab Saadat Khan
was succeeded by his nephew and son-in-law, Safdarjung in 1814. It was his
grandson Asaf-ud-Daulah, the fourth Nawab, who transferred the seat of the Awadh
government to Lucknow in 1775, to distance himself from his imperious mother in
Faizabad. Thereon ushered a new era. In the eight intense decades that followed
(i.e.1775 –1856), Lucknow prospered and grew into a sophisticated and
picturesque city with parks, palaces, gardens and imposing architectural
monuments. The Nawab’s patronage of music and arts attracted poets, artists, and
musicians to Lucknow in large numbers. During these eventful years, Lucknow
became one of the most celebrated centers of luxury, dance, poetry and
scholarship.

Bara Imambara - Asaf-ud-Daulah was also an inveterate builder of
monuments. Driven with an ambition to discover the glory of the past and present
and surpass them in magnificence and splendor, the numerous buildings built by
Asaf-ud-Duala, like the Bara Imambara built in 1784, the testify to his
architectural zeal. This is indeed a monumental feat considering the fact that
it once boasted the largest vaulted hall in the world, with a 50 feet high roof,
spanning an area of 162 feet and a height 53 feet in the absence of a single
beam! After all, as per the Nawab’s directive, his architecture was to be
original in conception with no influence of any existing structure or design.
The galleries and corridors within the great Imambara form a complicated and
intricate labyrinth (bhool-bhuliya) through which at times it is difficult to
find your way. Its terrace provides a fine view of the Lucknow city. During one
of his visits to the site, the pleasing aroma of food being cooked in giant
ovens attracted the Nawab. It is here when he discovered the Dum process of
cooking, wherein the food is cooked slowly in its own steam, which lends a
unique aroma and flavor to the food. Impressed with the process, he ordered the
royal kitchen to practice the same method of cooking.

Rumi Darwaza or the Turkish Gate-Towards the west of the Imambara is the
Rumi Darwaza or the Turkish Gate built by Asaf-ud-Duala between the years 1784
to 1786. The 60 feet high gateway stands as an equally grand entrance to the
great hall. During the Nawabi era, a huge lantern placed atop the Rumi Darwaza
would light up the pathway, while jets of water gushed from the numerous
fountains created on the rim of the gateway. Asaf-ud-Duala’s son, Wazir Ali took
over the throne after his father’s death in 1798. After four months of misrule
and bad behavior, the British removed Wajid Ali from the throne in 1798, who had
by then acquired enough powers to manipulate the events of Awadh. Sadat Ali
Khan, Asaf-ud-Daula’s brother, was offered the throne, who during his 16 years
of reign, earned himself a reputation of being an able administrator and the
most wise Nawab that Lucknow had ever known.

British Residency- Unlike his predecessor, Sadat Ali proved to be a great
builder who introduced a large number of architectural styles. One of his
best-known monuments is the Residency, which was built in 1800 for the British
residents. Today it stands desolate as a mute witness to the Mutiny of 1857 when
it was almost completely destroyed. Despite its numerous scars, this monument
retains till today its original charm that almost recreates the history
associated with it and is a stark reminder of the numerous sieges during the
Mutiny. Among the long list of grand palaces commissioned by Sadat Ali the Moti
Mahal, Dilkusha Palace, Hayat Baksh, Chattar Manzil, Khusheed Manzil and Lal
Baradari, deserves a visit.

Shah Najaf Imambara- Gazi-ud-Din’s most outstanding building is the Shah
Najaf Imambara where he is buried together with his three wives. The Imambara is
a huge masonry structure with a large dome. The wise Nawab gave the British a
large sum of money for its embellishment and maintenance. Under the terms of
agreement, this mausoleum is well cared for. The British kept their word and
this word has also been followed by present day establishments so much so that
Imambara is in excellent condition even today.

Tarunvali Kothi- Ironically, the proclamation of kingship coincided with
a period of almost complete dependence on the British. The titular King neither
improved the administrative capabilities of the rulers nor their morale. The
second King Nasir-ud-Din Haider, son and successor of Gazi-ud-Din, was so
effeminate that he often spoke and dressed like a female. His only contribution
in the field of architecture was the construction of Tarunvali Kothi, an
archeological center, which was equipped with sophisticated instruments and
entrusted to the care of a British astronomer.

Muhammad Ali's Imambara- the British crowned the third king of Awadh,
Muhammad Ali who was the second son of Nawab Wazir Sadat Ali, in 1837 at a ripe
old age of 63. Muhammad Ali was just and popular ruler under whom Lucknow once
again regained its splendor for a brief spell. Interested in building
activities, he built his own Imambara (congregational hall for Shaia Muslims) as
well as the Juma Masjid. The Imambara, left incomplete by Muhammad Ali, was
later completed by Begum Mallika Jehan of the Royal family. Between the Imambara
and the gateway is a large courtyard with a rectangular raised tank spanned by a
bridge.Within the Imambara is the burial place of the king while his daughter
and son-in-law are buried on one side of the courtyard. The Imambara is noted
for its golden dome, exquisite chandeliers, huge mirrors, silver mimbar,
colourful interiors and delicate calligraphy on its arched entrance.

Juma Masjid-The Juma Masjid, with its two minarets and three domes is yet
another delightful place to visit in Lucknow. An interesting building built by
Muhammed Ali Shah is the Baradari, also known as the Picture Gallery, which
houses the portraits of the erstwhile, Nawab’s and Kings of Awadh. Here one can
admire the marvelous costumes and jewellery that the nobles a adorned themselves
with. A patient of chronic rheumatism, Muhammad Ali died in 1842 and left behind
a number of incomplete monuments, which would have honored him as the greatest
builders amongst all Awadh Kings.

The Sat Khanda (or seven slices) was an edifice planned to resemble the
minaret of Babylon with each of its storeys superimposed on the other -the top
of which was to provide one of the finest views of Lucknow. Not far from the
picture gallery is yet another marvel, the Clock Tower which is said to be the
largest in India. This was however completed in seven years at the cost of more
than a lakh of rupees- an enormous amount at the time!

Qaiser Bagh Palace -Muhammed Ali was succeeded by his son, Wajid Ali Shah
in 1837 who was also the last of the rulers to ascend the throne. A poet, singer
and a great patron of arts, his pursuit of personal pleasure left little time
for looking into administrative responsibilities. This led to the British
annexation of Awadh. Wajid Ali Shah’s single contribution to Lucknow was the
Qaiser Bagh Palace built in 1850, which he wanted to be promoted as the eighth
wonder of the world!

La Martiniere-A Funerary Monument- The architectural skyline of Lucknow
remains incomplete without the mention of La Martiniere-a funeral monument.
Built at the end of the 18th century, it is said be the largest in Asia and
houses the coffin of its builder, French Major General Claude Martim. Martim had
come to India as a penniless soldier but gradually his luck and hard work
fetched him a fortune big enough to lend a princely amount of 250,000 pounds to
the Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah! La Martiniere is today a school of great repute.

Luck now’s Cultural History Remains Unrivaled- In almost all forms of art
and entertainment, Lucknow developed its own variety, be it poetry, music,
dance, storytelling, fashion, animal combats and gastronomy. The Dastarkhans of
the Lucknow courts are still proverbial. In fact the master chefs excelled in
their talents to such a great extent that they are believed to have received
salaries more than of the prime minister today. In this period alone, there were
more poets that in any other part of the country. Subsequently the Mughal
monarchy was battling for its survival and in their sinking empire, had no time
for patronizing creative talent. This led to the influx of several artists to
Lucknow where they received considerable patronage. Cultural refinement was
thus, not just confined to the courts but thrived even on the streets and
by-lanes of this ancient and historical city.